What have I learned after living in Chelsea?
It is so strange that I lived for almost 7 years in London, but I only started to understand British culture or British people, or maybe just the real life in London, after I moved to Chelsea.
Here are 50 points that you should take into consideration:
(it is not compulsory of course 🙂 )
- always say “thank you”, “please” and “sorry” (I am not joking, ALWAYS, every single sentence)
- always smile
- ask about the weather
- always have an umbrella
- don’t ask personal questions (age, money, job, wife/husband)
- don’t talk about your family or about your business unless you are very-very-very 🙂 close to that person
- don’t wear make up, unless you going to a party (mascara OR lipstick it is allowed 🙂 )
- don’t wear high heals when you walk the dog, you go to the gym or when you do shopping
- you can have a spare pair of shoes in your bag (it is more than normal)
- don’t misjudge their old houses (might be more expensive than you could ever imagine)
- speak proper English
- don’t be surprise when police smiles to you
- you will see more fathers with the pram than mothers (especially in the afternoon)
- dogs are considered exactly like kids and they are welcome everywhere, because they are well-behaved
- don’t put earrings on your little baby girl (gipsy style)
- eat with the fork in your left hand (never right)
- no cash, always card
- never talk about religion
- political affiliation is not something to talk about
- drive slowly and always respect the rules
- never ask for a toothpick in a restaurant
- good restaurant will not provide paper tissues (don’t ask for one)
- never chew gum
- you can smoke anywhere as long as you are outside 🙂
- there’s no dress code and you will never be judge by your clothes (unless you are too vulgar, or too show off )
- curly means wavy
- long nails are considered gipsy style
- never disagree – always be polite
- never use your phone during dinner/lunch (they actually leave their phone in the car or in their bag/jacket to show how respectful they are)
- nobody is afraid of the government
- it is not important to wear bling-blings, it is much more important to wear something simple and branded
- always eyes to eyes contact when you have a conversation
- never be rude
- be quiet and patient
- never complain
- always help
- always apologize when someone bumps into you
- make compliments (even to strangers)
- respect the queue
- pay your tax on time
- pay your fines
- always eat everything from your plate
- never say “no”, just “maybe”
- read the newspapers (you should always be informed about what’s going around the globe)
- don’t take pictures without permission
- good humor is always allowed, jokes only after a while
- it’s “trousers” not “pants”
- you take a “cab”, not a “taxi”
- never refuse an invitation
- always look interested even if you are not!
And don’t forget…again and again.. Thank you…Please…Sorry!!!
Thank you for your time! :))